Such is the state of EV demand that even market leader BYD has had to stick a petrol engine into one of its most popular electric SUVs to revitalise sales. You’re looking at the first official photo of the Atto 2 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid version of the B-segment crossover that will go on sale in Europe soon.
Details remain scarce, but the Chinese carmaker has confirmed two variants, each with different output figures, battery sizes and range. In top trim, the DM-i will deliver up to 90 km of WLTP-rated electric range, translating to a total range of 1,020 km.
By comparison, the electric Atto 2 has a middling total range of 345 km on the WLTP cycle through its 51.13 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The UK does, however, have a larger 64.8 kWh option that can travel a more useful 430 km on a single charge.
Expect the car to share its efficiency-biased Dual Mode–Intelligent powertrain with the Seal 6 DM-i (not to be confused with the unrelated Seal 6 EV sold here), consisting of a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder and a front electric motor. In the sedan/wagon, the base model produces up to 184 PS (135 kW) and is mated to a 10.08 kWh LFP battery, while the range-topped pairs a gutsier 212 PS (156 kW) motor with a 19 kWh LFP pack.
Going by the sole image provided, not much has changed over the pure electric version, save for the obvious petrol filler cap on the left rear fender. The addition of a combustion engine has necessitated the fitment of a larger centre air intake that dispenses with the EV’s inverted U-shaped body colour strip, and there’s a different design for the 17-inch grey alloy wheels.
The Atto 2 DM-i will make its world premiere in Luxembourg at the Fleet Europe Days event this week, with European press getting a closer look of the car in November. The order books will open soon after, with deliveries kicking off in the first quarter of 2026.
Could the Atto 2 DM-i be offered in Malaysia? It does seem likely, given that BYD Cars Malaysia has already confirmed that PHEV models are on their way here. Given the unfavourable tax structure for CBU fully-imported cars, however, we will probably have to wait for CKD local assembly operations to kick off in the second half of 2026.
GALLERY: BYD Atto 2 EV in Malaysia
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Nice, comfortable alternative to Chery Tiggo Cross H-EV.
PHEV is what malaysia needs, not pure EV because of the horrid EV charging infra we got, the car importers dont seem to understand that, chery apparently the only one understands malaysian market …
they understand more than vexed , car importers bring in EV because currently only EV is tax free and also roadtax fee.